Meet the Team

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AKRON – On an overcast and muggy Monday morning at Schrank Field, the Akron football team had the first of its 27 preseason practices. The squad took to the field for three hours, wearing helmets. While the coaches got there first look at the 2007 Zips, the fans will get their chance on Sunday, August 12, at the annual “Meet the Team” function in the Stile Field House. See pages 1 and 2 of the PDF above for more information. “It was exciting and fun to get out there,” said head coach J.D. Brookhart. “It was also good to see the new kids out there playing. The first unit on defense moved around well and showed their experience. Likewise, the inexperience showed at quarterback and along the offensive line. However, there was good enthusiasm. The kids were really into it. It was your typical first day of practice.” Among the highlights Coach Brookhart referred to on defense were a pair of interceptions and a fumble scooped up and returned. The offensive was not without its big plays. Namely, Marcus Patterson and Carlton Jackson hooked up for a long pass and the day ended with an impressive run from tailback Alex Allen. In addition to the team and individual drills, Coach Brookhart kept his emphasis on the special teams. As he put it, the special teams coordinator has a lot of pull. (This spring, Brookhart took over the role of special teams coordinator.) Senior center Mike Schepp, who is going through his fifth “first practice,” had this to say about the Zips’ outing today. “It went as well as it could without pads. The intensity was good and I think we are farther ahead of where we were last year at this point. Overall, it was a pretty good day. We will watch film tonight, see what needs to be improved on or corrected and get better tomorrow.” On the other end of the spectrum, true freshman Paul Simkovich, an offensive lineman from Latrobe, Pa., said, “It was good to get out there and start running the plays. This practice was much different than any from high school. The speed of the players and tempo of the drills were much faster. Being here this summer helped some today. I was able to get a sense of the speed. But, today was a whole new level.”